Discover energy trends, innovations, and challenges, including renewables and sustainability.
Energy
The dream of nuclear fusion—an energy source that mimics the sun’s core—is closer than ever to becoming a reality. Multiple startups are preparing to demonstrate their progress, with hopes of solving the global energy crisis. However, technological, financial, and scientific hurdles still stand in their way. What
Quantum Computing
Google has unveiled its new quantum computing chip, “Willow”, which claims to solve problems in just five minutes that would take the world’s fastest supercomputers a staggering 10 septillion years to complete. This marks a significant milestone in the race for practical quantum computing – a field poised to revolutionize
Energy
Massive hyperscale data centers—designed to handle cloud computing and AI demands—are drawing interest from developers eyeing South Dakota as a potential hub. With its cold climate and abundant wind energy, the state offers ideal conditions for these energy-intensive facilities. However, the demand for electricity poses challenges for local
Energy
New research reveals that twisted carbon nanotubes can store three times more energy per unit mass than lithium-ion batteries, making them an innovative solution for lightweight and safe energy storage. This breakthrough opens doors for applications in medical implants, sensors, and other compact technologies. The Discovery A global team of
Energy
Meta Platforms Inc. is actively seeking proposals from nuclear energy developers to supply between 1 and 4 gigawatts of nuclear-generated electricity for its U.S. data centers, aiming for operational capacity by the early 2030s. This initiative aligns with Meta's commitment to environmental sustainability and addresses the escalating
Energy
GE Vernova, through its subsidiary GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), is advancing the deployment of its BWRX-300 small modular reactors (SMRs) across developed nations. These reactors offer a cost-effective and scalable solution for clean energy generation. BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR
Energy
The explosive growth of AI is escalating energy use, leading to increased environmental concerns. Training AI models demands substantial computational power, resulting in higher electricity usage and increased greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, a single AI query can consume up to ten times more energy than a standard internet search.
Energy
Nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun, has long been a goal for generating clean and virtually limitless energy on Earth. Recent advancements suggest that achieving practical fusion power may be closer than previously anticipated. Progress in Fusion Research The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a major international project
Energy
U.S. natural gas producers are set to increase output in 2025, reversing the production cuts experienced in 2024. This anticipated rise is driven by expectations of higher prices and increased demand from liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities. In 2024, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a
Energy
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing is significantly increasing global energy consumption, potentially hindering the transition to clean energy. Data centers, essential for AI operations, are experiencing unprecedented growth, leading to a surge in electricity demand. This escalation is prompting utilities to rely more on fossil
Military & Defense
The United States has unveiled El Capitan, the world’s fastest supercomputer, at the SC Conference for supercomputing in Atlanta, Georgia. Designed to maintain the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, El Capitan marks a major milestone in computational power. A New Era of Simulated Testing Following
Environment
On November 12, 2024, a Dutch appeals court overturned a 2021 ruling that had mandated Shell to reduce its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030. The original decision was hailed as a landmark in holding corporations accountable for their environmental impact. However, the appeals court found that while Shell has